Written by:Fact check:

Overview

What Is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorder that can affect the pregnant person’s organs and the placenta. It most often begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy, but it may also develop during the days or weeks after delivery. This preeclampsia definition includes cases that occur even when there are few or no noticeable symptoms. Regular prenatal and postpartum care helps clinicians find and manage it early.

Emergency Warning Signs

Emergency Warning Signs of Preeclampsia

GET EMERGENCY HELP NOW

Do not wait for symptoms to pass

Seek emergency care immediately for severe or sudden warning signs during pregnancy or after delivery. These symptoms can indicate severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, a life-threatening condition involving seizures.

  • A seizure requires immediate emergency medical attention, whether it occurs during pregnancy or after birth.
  • Trouble breathing or sudden shortness of breath may signal serious lung or heart complications.
  • A severe or persistent headache that does not improve needs urgent assessment.
  • Vision changes, such as blurred vision, flashing lights, or temporary loss of sight, require emergency care.
  • Severe pain in the upper abdomen, especially under the right ribs, can indicate organ involvement.
  • Chest pain, pressure, or a racing heartbeat should be treated as an emergency.
  • Confusion, unusual difficulty staying awake, or sudden changes in alertness requires immediate help.
  • Sudden severe swelling of the face, hands, or body should be assessed urgently, including after delivery.

Do not drive yourself if you are severely unwell or having a seizure. Contact local emergency services and follow the instructions from your maternity or medical care team.

Symptoms

Preeclampsia Symptoms

Preeclampsia symptoms may be absent or mild, so the condition is often found through routine blood pressure or urine testing. When symptoms do occur, they can reflect changes affecting the brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, or vision. New symptoms during pregnancy or after delivery should be reported promptly.

  • Severe or persistent headache may be a warning sign of high blood pressure affecting the brain.
  • Vision changes, including blurred vision or seeing spots, can signal serious disease.
  • Upper abdominal pain, particularly beneath the right ribs, may reflect liver involvement.
  • Sudden swelling of the face or hands can occur with fluid retention.
  • Nausea or vomiting that begins or worsens later in pregnancy may require assessment.
  • Shortness of breath may indicate fluid in the lungs or another complication.
  • Decreased urination (oliguria) can be a sign that the kidneys are affected.
  • High blood pressure may be present even when no symptoms are noticeable.

DO NOT IGNORE WARNING SIGNS

Symptoms can be absent or subtle

New, severe, or rapidly worsening symptoms during pregnancy or after delivery require prompt medical assessment. Do not wait for a routine appointment if you are concerned.

Causes

What Causes Preeclampsia?

The exact cause of preeclampsia is not fully known. Researchers believe that abnormal development or blood flow in the placenta can affect the mother’s blood vessels, causing high blood pressure and inflammation that may strain several organs. Immune, genetic, and blood-vessel factors may also contribute.

How the placenta and blood vessels may be involved.

In a healthy pregnancy, the placenta helps support blood flow between the mother and fetus. In preeclampsia, placental and immune processes may lead to blood-vessel dysfunction, reducing healthy circulation and triggering effects throughout the body. Preeclampsia is not caused by a personal failure or by one isolated food, activity, or behavior.

Risk Factors

Preeclampsia Risk Factors

Pregnancy and family-related risk factors

  • A history of preeclampsia increases the chance of developing it again.
  • A first pregnancy is associated with a higher risk than some later pregnancies.
  • A multiple pregnancy, such as twins or triplets, places extra demands on the placenta and increases risk.
  • A mother, sister, or other close family member with preeclampsia may indicate inherited susceptibility.
  • Pregnancy achieved with assisted reproductive technology may be associated with increased risk.
  • Certain placental, fetal, or pregnancy-related conditions can increase the likelihood of preeclampsia.

Health conditions that can raise risk

Chronic high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and obesity can increase risk. Some risk factors cannot be changed, while managing existing conditions and attending recommended appointments may improve safety. Having a risk factor does not mean preeclampsia will occur, and some people develop it without any known risk factors.

Complications

Preeclampsia Complications

Untreated or severe preeclampsia can affect the brain, liver, kidneys, blood clotting system, placenta, heart, and blood vessels. The risks depend on how severe the condition is and how quickly it is recognized and treated.

ConditionDefining featureWhy it matters
PreeclampsiaHigh blood pressure during or after pregnancy with protein in the urine or signs of organ involvement.It can worsen and injure maternal organs or affect the placenta and fetus.
EclampsiaPreeclampsia associated with a seizure.It is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
  • Fetal growth restriction can occur when placental blood flow does not adequately support fetal growth.
  • Placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus before birth and can cause heavy bleeding.
  • Preterm birth may be recommended when continuing the pregnancy is unsafe for the pregnant person or fetus.
  • Stillbirth is a rare but serious possible outcome of severe placental or maternal complications.
  • Maternal kidney, liver, heart, or brain injury can occur when severe disease is not controlled.
  • Abnormal blood clotting and very low platelets may develop in severe cases.
  • A newborn may need specialized care if born early or affected by reduced placental function.

Preeclampsia after birth, also called postpartum preeclampsia, can begin or worsen after delivery. Blood pressure and symptoms may require monitoring in the hospital or at home, so follow-up instructions remain important after birth.

Diagnosis

How Is Preeclampsia Diagnosed?

Clinicians diagnose preeclampsia using repeated blood pressure readings and tests for protein in the urine or other signs of organ involvement. The assessment is based on the pregnancy or postpartum setting, symptoms, test results, and changes over time rather than on one finding alone.

  • Blood pressure checks help identify persistent or severe high blood pressure.
  • Urine testing checks for protein and other signs of kidney involvement.
  • Blood tests can assess the liver, kidneys, blood cell counts, and clotting system.
  • A symptom review looks for headache, vision changes, abdominal pain, breathing problems, and other warning signs.
  • Fetal growth assessments may include ultrasound measurements to check for restricted growth.
  • Fetal well-being assessments can monitor movement, heart rate, blood flow, or other signs of placental function.

Treatment & Management

Preeclampsia Treatment and Management

Treatment of preeclampsia depends on the severity of the condition, gestational age, and the health of both the mother and baby. Close monitoring of blood pressure, symptoms, laboratory tests, and fetal well-being is essential. For severe hypertension, medications such as labetalol, nifedipine, or hydralazine may be used to reduce the risk of complications.

Magnesium sulfate is commonly administered to women with severe preeclampsia or a high risk of seizures to prevent eclampsia. If preterm delivery is anticipated, corticosteroids may be given to help accelerate fetal lung maturation.

The definitive treatment for preeclampsia is delivery of the placenta and baby. The timing of delivery is individualized according to disease severity and gestational age. After delivery, blood pressure and symptoms should continue to be monitored because preeclampsia can persist or develop during the postpartum period. Severe headache, visual disturbances, upper abdominal pain, shortness of breath, or markedly elevated blood pressure require urgent medical evaluation.

FOLLOW THE CARE PLAN

Management must be individualized

Do not self-treat high blood pressure, stop prescribed medicine, or rely on bed rest unless your clinician specifically advises it. Contact your care team if symptoms change or you have concerns about the plan.

Prevention

Can Preeclampsia Be Prevented?

No method prevents every case of preeclampsia. For selected pregnant patients at higher risk, clinicians may recommend low-dose aspirin after reviewing the appropriate timing, dose, and safety.

  • Start prenatal care early so risk factors and baseline health can be assessed.
  • Work with your care team to manage chronic high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, or autoimmune disease.
  • Attend recommended blood pressure checks and laboratory monitoring during pregnancy and after delivery.
  • Take low-dose aspirin only if it has been prescribed or recommended by your obstetric care team.
  • Keep follow-up appointments so changes in symptoms, blood pressure, or fetal growth can be identified.
  • Report warning signs promptly instead of waiting for the next scheduled visit.

Outlook and Prognosis

Outlook and Prognosis for Preeclampsia

The outlook depends on how severe preeclampsia is, how early it begins, whether maternal organs are affected, and how well the fetus is growing and tolerating the pregnancy. Many people have positive outcomes with timely diagnosis, careful monitoring, and treatment, although severe disease can require early delivery.

Branches

1 topic